Today, Wednesday, October 1st, is a national holiday in Nigeria. We congratulate Nigeria on 48 years of independence. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a federal constitutional republic comprising thirty six states and one federal capital with a population of about 140 million. Nigeria gained its independence on the 1st October, 1960 and became a republic on October 1st, 1963. Nigeria re-achieved democracy in 1999 ending almost thirty three-years of military rule between from 1966 until 1999. The last major uprising here in Jos was in 2001 when there was sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians. Other than the rebel group in the far south, Nigeria is politically calm for now.
The celebration in Jos is subdued, compared to American Fourth of July festivities. Most workers have several days in a row off. Elective and routine care at Evangel hospital is shut down and there is no school today. As a matter of fact, school has been out for 3 days. Monday and Tuesday were last minute holidays in 
observance of Sallah, the end of Ramadan. Muslims have had their own celebration as they are completing a 4 week period of fasting. During the day, roughly 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, they did not eat or drink. Roughly half of Jos is Muslim. Many of our patients at Evangel Hospital are Muslim, despite our strong Christian emphasis. Please join us as we pray for the country of Nigerian: for strong leadership and for strong leaders full of integrity who will work hard to make a better life for all Nigerians.
President Umaru Yar'Adua
Michael Mitchell, MD
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